Priestly Holiness is Important

Chapter 21 of Leviticus gives instructions to priests for how they can keep themselves holy in order to not disrespect the Lord. It was especially important for a priest to hold himself in higher regards than that of an ordinary man. The priest was also the one responsible for presenting the offering before the Lord making his holy state very important.

Priestly Rules Regarding Dead Bodies

Being a priest meant behaving in a different manner than the common man. In the event that a relative were to die, a priest must remain clean by not coming in direct contact with the body. He must also not mourn in a way that the common man would mourn.

However, there was an exception to this rule if certain members of the priest’s family were to pass. For example, the death of a priest’s parents, children, or brother could be mourned. A priest’s wife could not be mourned, though, because she was not a blood relative. In addition, the priest’s sister had to be an unmarried virgin in order to be mourned by him.

Other Rules for Priests

Priests were also not allowed to shave their heads or rip their holy garments. They must also only marry virgins. He must maintain the order in the Tabernacle. This meant that only people who did not have a defect would be allowed to enter the holy sanctuary to give an offering before the Lord.

These rules were meant to set priests apart from the normal man. Leviticus Chapter 21 details how priests were to remain not only free of sin, but they must not behave in an unholy manner.